Beach Boys co-founder Brian Wilson dies at 82

In a statement shared by Brian Wilson’s family, the singer-songwriter and co-founding member of the Beach Boys has died. He was 82.

Wilson’s family took to his official X account on Wednesday, June 11, to share a photo of their father.

“We are heartbroken to announce that our beloved father Brian Wilson has passed away. We are at a loss for words right now,” the statement read.

“Please respect our privacy at this time as our family (is) grieving. We realize that we are sharing our grief with the world,” it continued, before the family signed off, writing, “Love & Mercy.”

Wilson made up one-fifth of the popular rock group known as the Beach Boys, which included his brothers Dennis and Carl Wilson, their cousin Mike Love, and their friend Al Jardine.

The band was founded in 1961 and skyrocketed to fame following its release of its first single “Surfin’” in November of that year.

Brian Wilson has been reported as the “mastermind” behind the majority of the band’s biggest hits, which include “Good Vibrations,” “Kokomo,” “Wouldn’t It Be Nice” and more.

As The Washington Post reported in 1971, Dennis Wilson called the group Brian’s “messengers.”

“Brian Wilson is the Beach Boys. He is all of it. Period. We’re nothing. He’s everything,” Dennis Wilson told the Post.

Brian Wilson once called “Til I Die” his most personal song.